ich on my coral beauty angel

[jettie1767]

Lee,

Unfortunately, I got ich on my coral beauty angel a few days ago and plan to do the Copper treatment in a 10-gallon QT tank for all fish when I come back from vacation after labor day weekend. Right now, all fish (1 2-inch coral beauty angel, 1 small six-line wrasse, 1 small wheeler watchman and 2 1-inch clowns) are eating well and I've been dipping food in garlic extreme or selcon to build up their immunity. The DT is a CAD 22. All parameters are good in the DT.

I have the following questions:

1. I bought an AquaClear HOB filter for this QT tank. Do I leave the sponge there and just don't use the carbon? Or I shouldn't put any filter media in it at all?

2. I plan to use DT water to start the QT tank so I think I don't need to establish a biological filter by putting the HOB filter in the DT tank first? Is this correct?

3. Do I need to aerate the tank with an air pump/airstone or the HOB filter will provide enough water exchange?

4. Do I do 10% or 20% water (prepared with copper) changes daily and siphoning the detritus on the glass bottom at the same time?

5. Is lighting required in the QT?

6. DT is at 78 degrees. Should the QT be at a higher temp during treatment?

Thanks for your help and advice!

Warren

[leebca]

I'll answer your questions and try to address your concerns to the best of my ability:

1. You can't beat a simple sponge filter. It draws wanter gently from the bottom and with the use of air, circulates water in the QT gently. When around sick fish, the sponge filter will pose no threat to the fish. It can be disposed of without any concern to the wallet, and it is easily seeded in the DT. I would save the HOB filter for another tank you may wish to setup in the future -- or sell it.

2. No. Water doesn't establish the biological filter. The number of bacteria in the water is amazingly low. Think about it. If this were true we'd all be buying 'used water' from our LFSs and have systems up and running in seconds. Put a sponge filter (see 1.) in your DT immediately to get it seeded. It takes a few weeks to get the biological filter running, regardless of the water source.

3. If you follow 1. there is your circulation.

4. If the biological filter is not working, you may have to do multiple water changes per day. If it is working, a large water change every 2nd or third day. Have you read this? A Fish Quarantine Process - Step by Step So far your questions are answered in there. What you siphon out is part of the water that will be changed in the 'water change.' For removal of wastes in between, use a siphon with a filter (to return the water), or just siphon out a small amount of water (smaller diameter hose or pipe).

5. Just enough so the fish can see to eat. If the tank is medicated, the light should be a dim one.

6. No.

You're welcome.

[jettie1767]

Thanks, Lee! Yes, I read the quarantine process article which was a very good read. I think it didn't address the treatment aspect but just a general QT setup. But, either way, you've cleared up a lot of stuff.

Now, I hope that my fish don't get worse while I'm building up the biological filter in the DT. I think the dosing of garlic and selcon is helping.

Warren

[sneaks03]

here is a good Sponge filter for your QT.

Foam Aquarium Biological Filters: Oxygen Plus Bio-Filter 9

[jettie1767]

Originally Posted by sneaks03

here is a good Sponge filter for your QT.

Foam Aquarium Biological Filters: Oxygen Plus Bio-Filter 9

Thanks. I saw that one but I will pass by Petco on my way home and see what they have.

[BigAl07]

sounds like a PLAN to me.

Thanks Lee for assisting you're GREATLY appreciated.

[jettie1767]

Thank you! I just hope they can hold on in my DT until I can begin quarantine sometime the week after Labor Day weekend.

[sneaks03]

Yeah waiting that long is gonna be risky, make sure they are eating and swiming around fine and it may be ok. However, if you could do it sooner that would be best.

[jettie1767]

I would like to start quarantine next week but I don't think I can build the biological filter in just 4 to 5 days. Cupramine doesn't come in until Tuesday next week. And leaving the QT for 2 days next weekend might be just as risky. So, I think I don't have a choice at this point.

[jettie1767]

Day 1 of copper treatment. I have the 2 picasso clowns, 1 wheeler watchman's goby, and 1 six-line wrasse in the 10 gallon tank. Copper reads 0.50 ppm per the Salifert test kit. The clowns seem to be eating but the goby and the six-line are just 'resting' all the time. Not really sure if they are eating any when I'm not looking.

BTW, the Coral Beauty died even before I went on vacation over Labor Day weekend. But, I'm glad that my other fish seems to be surviving.

Now, I have to monitor them for the next 14 days. Tested for the past 2 days. 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and 8.0 ph.

[sneaks03]

Sorry to hear about hte coral beauty, hope all works out well with the others.